Congregation established 1836

Newsletter of the

First Unitarian Church, Alton, Illinois

www.firstuualton.org

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt, Minister

September 3^rd

"Peacemaking"

Dr. Ronald Glossop, Professor Emeritus,

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

The June 2006 UUA General Assembly in St. Louis adopted "PEACEMAKING" as its new Study/Action Issue. This issue is to be studied and discussed by the UUA Commission on Social Witness as well as UUA congregations and districts during the next two years with the aim of subsequently adopting an official UUA Statement of Conscience on this issue. Ron will try to stimulate our thinking about what this Statement of Conscience on "PEACEMAKING" should say.

September 10^th - Ingathering Sunday

“Gather the Spirit”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

After a long, hot summer, we gather to be with old friends, to meet new ones, and to give thanks and praise. Come celebrate with us as we look forward to the work of a new church year. The children will join us for this first intergenerational service of the fall.

September 17^th

“Freedom, Formation, and Death”

Rev. Richard Haynes

In the face of death how free are we? Can character formation through religious education and experience maximize our freedom? Early Unitarians used to talk about "salvation by character." We need to recapture that concept if we are to lead meaningful lives of joy and service.  If freedom is not free, let’s open a discussion about its cost.

Bio:   Rev. Haynes is a 1995 graduate of Eden Seminary in Webster Groves, Mo. He is a Unitarian Universalist community minister who works in association with Eliot Chapel in Kirkwood. He was the first non-Catholic Chaplain hired by St. Joseph’s hospital in Kirkwood in 1996 and is currently employed at that institution. He also performs weddings and does marriage and grief counseling in the St. Louis area.

September 24^th

“We Are Family”

Rev. Khleber Van Zandt

Our church is continuing through the Welcoming Congregation process, learning more about the similarities and differences among people of different sexual orientations.  Herewith, a summary of our activities and findings to this point, and a list of hopes and expectations for the future.

September 3rd

9:30 a.m.

Ongoing Series:  In Search of the Historical Jesus.

Who was Jesus?  What was he like?  For over 2000 years people have pondered these questions.  This DVD series is presented by Professor Bart D. Ehrman. He approaches the subject of who Jesus might have been from a purely historical perspective.  Facilitator:  Beth Nalick.

September 10^th

9:00 a.m.

Ongoing Series: The Welcoming Congregation Workshop. This series is held on the 2^nd Sunday of each month.  The workshop is designed to help congregations develop individual and institutional strategies in order to become more welcoming to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their families.  This monthly program is coordinated by the Welcoming Congregation Committee. 

September 17^th

9:30 a.m.

Forum: “What is the relation between philosophy and religion?”  Speaker:  Dr. Ron Glossop 

September 24^th

9:15 a.m.

Ongoing Series: Breaking Free: Women of Spirit at Midlife and Beyond.

This program brings women together to discuss aging as the development of character, a breaking free of constraints, and an opportunity to deepen their spiritual lives. Session 2: Loss Tempered with Appreciation. Participants are required to purchase the book for $16 and complete homework assignments.  Come and join us even if you missed the first session.  Facilitator:  Beth Nalick

A First Glance

Yes, it’s been quite a summer.  At church, it’s the first summer we’ve had programming each and every Sunday, and indeed, the building has been well used every Sunday this summer after the advent of air conditioning in the RE wing.  On the downside, we’ve experienced some minor flooding in the lower level from some broken drain tiles; we’re in the process of having the problem repaired now that we finally have a clue about the cause.

In local news, our area was hit by two storms in one week and many of us were without electricity for several days.  Many people lost trees or suffered damage to their homes.  I heard about families sharing their living spaces with one another and also about our people helping others in the wider community.

In the wider world, the Middle East seemed on the verge of chaos when Israel went after Hezbollah in Lebanon, bombing infrastructure and causing massive amounts of what is euphemistically known as “collateral damage.”  It’s difficult to know what else to do when those committed to the destruction of Israel continue to fire deadly Iranian-made, Syrian-purchased rockets at the Israeli population.

The civil war in Iraq is more intractable than ever.  The body count escalates, Shia and Sunni shoot and suicide-bomb each other into oblivion, diplomatic solutions are floated but quickly fade into mirages, the U.S. military can do nothing but try with mixed results to save its own personnel.  And the nation builders in Washington tell us they have it all under control.

In the midst of all the turmoil, Linda and I took time off to visit family in Texas.  We put over three thousand miles on the ol’ family car, going to Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston on a quest to see our various relatives.  We had many adventures, some of them good, and I’m sure you’ll hear about them in sermons and columns over the coming weeks.

During one stop, I heard some relatives say they “needed a good hurricane to bring us some rain.”  I thought the remark callous in the extreme, but it made me consider how one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, how a disaster for one group may be a godsend for another.

In the midst of storms and strife, of national wars and personal callousness, we begin a new year at church.  May we continue the search for meaning, may we take care of each other, and may we renew our efforts to help make our community the best it can be, especially for the least fortunate among us.

See you in church,

Let’s Get Acquainted

Starting with this issue of the newsletter we’re not only going to introduce you new members but also let you know something about our longer-time members.  This month we’re going to meet Willis and Brynda and Ruth.

Willis and Brynda McCoy arrived with their U-Haul in East Alton on the same day that Katrina arrived in New Orleans, but with definitely less impact. They hale from Oklahoma where both spent most of their lives. They moved to the area to be closer to son Damon who lives in Ballwin. Brynda is a retired public school teacher and Willis is retired from the Department of Human Services of Oklahoma. Prior to the move to Seminole he was a school band director and a member of the Oklahoma Symphony orchestra. Brynda's 91-year-old mother moved with them, as she is no longer able to care for herself. The McCoys have a daughter Daphne living in Oxford, OH with her husband and two daughters. Damon has a wife and three daughters. In the 70's when the McCoys lived in Oklahoma City, they belonged to the First UU church there. But when they moved to Seminole, they attended a Methodist Church where Willis was choir director for about 14 of the 25 years they attended there. When they decided to move closer to Damon, not really liking the St. Louis side of the river, they investigated communities on the Illinois side. Two main things attracted them to the Alton area. One was the local symphony orchestra and the other the Unitarian church. They joined the church shortly after their arrival and have already become active members of the choir and committees.

Ruth Shaw writes “I’m the old lady you see hobbling around with a cane and with a hearing loop on my head during church.” 

I first attended the church in January of 1961 on a date with my future husband, Will Shaw, a dedicated UU, and after my first visit on a date I was dedicated too.  What a relief not to have to pretend to believe things that I had pretended during my lifetime growing up a northern Lutheran.  Will and I were married here in our church in 1962.  After retiring in 1973 and having poor health, Will died in 1978.  It was after that that I had time to be active at church. 

It was that year that Barbara Giberson was elected church President, she was the first woman president of the congregation.  I was elected Vice President, so it was up to two women to help us grow out of a very difficult period – ten years without a minister.  By 1979 the congregation had called a minister, Sylvia Falconer, but before she came I had invited a student from the UU Meadville Seminary to come to Alton for a Sunday service.  The one who came was an international student from Transylvania, Alpar Kiss.  We loved him, and this was my start in getting interested in international students, in Unitarianism in Transylvania, and 16 years later in helping his daughter, Abigel, come to the US for college.

When I learned that the UUA had connections with international groups that had meetings in interesting places, I showed up in 1978 at Oxford, England, for a conference of the International Association for Liberal Religious Women, followed by the International Association for Religious Freedom.  I was fascinated, and became an International “junkie,” just as I was becoming a GA Junkie! 

At church, after serving as Vice President and then President for two years, then being active in Anna D’s, on many committees – including helping to design the kitchen when the RE wing was being built – and doing anything and everything that needed doing, with the help of a wonderful congregation I have finally “retired” and now just enjoy watching.

Special Lecture and Film

Tuesday, September 5^th at 7:00 p.m.

Bill Brown, a documentary filmmaker living in Detroit, recently completed a film called The Other Side that documents his 2-year journey along the US-Mexico border. The film focuses on the work of migrant activists who have established water stations in the deserts of the Southwest in response to the growing number of immigrants who die there every summer.  For the next couple months, he will be biking from Washington, DC to Pueblo, Colorado, screening his film and discussing the humanitarian crisis playing out almost invisibly along the nation's southern frontier.  Come and join Mr. Brown for a screening of his film as well as discussion of issues. Joining the discussion will be representatives from the Immigration Project in Granite City.

Volunteer to Host Coffee Hour

If you haven't hosted coffee hour yet or haven't in a long time, please consider doing so. We all enjoy refreshments and coffee after church, but that doesn't happen on its own. September and the new church year would a great time to do your part. If you are new or haven't ever tried your hand at hosting, please feel free to contact Brynda McCoy at wbmccoy@charter.net. She will be glad to assist you. Otherwise sign up during coffee hour for a Sunday that is convenient for you so we will know that you are willing to do your part. Thanks in advance for your help.

A guide to “What’s Happening” this Month

Monday    9/4 – 7:00 p.m. – UU Pagans

Tuesday    9/5 – 7:00 p.m. – special lecture & film about migrant activists.

Thursday   9/7 – 11:30 a.m. – Anna Ds.

Thursday   9/7 – 7:00 p.m. – Choir practice

Saturday    9/9 – all day – Board and Committee Chair retreat.

Tuesday    9/12 – 11:30 a.m. – Men’s lunch group

Tuesday    9/12 – 7:00 p.m. – Board meeting

Thursday   9/21 – 7:00 p.m. – Choir practice

Saturday   9/23 – morning – Road Cleanup

Saturday/Sunday   9/23-24 – RE at Heritage Days

Sunday     9/24 – 11:45 a.m. – Potluck

Sunday     9/24 – 12:00 noon – UU & You! class

Sunday     9/24 – after potluck – Choir practice

Saturday   9/30 – 9:00 a.m. – Workday at church.

Your Comments Welcome

If you have a suggestion or comment to make regarding our church you may either write it on a piece of paper and put it in the suggestion box in the RE foyer, or email it to: suggestions@firstuualton.org   The link is also up on the church’s homepage under the “contacts” button.

Church Work Day – Saturday September 30^th

A Work Day is planned at the church for September 30^th.

We had a very successful workday in July – see Rose Hoshiko’s action photos in the Kate Wuerker Room — but there are still lots of projects to be done.  This is a chance for those of you who signed up at the Volunteer Faire to get started on your chosen jobs, and a chance for others to sign up or just help out.  Our church building needs you to help keep it looking beautiful.  My philosophy is that everyone is on the Building and Grounds Committee.

Work will start at 9 a.m. and go until 3 p.m. or so.  If you can’t come for the whole day, come for the morning or the afternoon.  Please bring your own lunch if you plan to stay all day.  Child care will be available if you notify me a week ahead.

Pat Moore

Building and Grounds Chair

Here are the names of church members and friends who are celebrating birthdays this month.  If this is ‘your month’ and your name didn’t get included, we’re sorry. For future months please let Mary Johnson know your birth month and day. ( mejohnson@mindspring.com )

  1 September – Bill Fischer

  1 September – David Birchmier

  3 September – Jim Moore

  4 September – Elizabeth Leavell

10 September – Denise Maxwell

10 September – Mary Lu McManus

10 September – Roger Thorogood

13 September – Phil Finley

13 September – Betty Yakubian

14 September – Mona Hebert

14 September – Jackson Smithe (2004)

15 September – David Charlton

16 September – Janice Joiner

19 September – Jen Politsch

20 September – David Kraus

20 September – David Stacy

23 September – Matt Hallett

29 September – Camille Alton (1997)

Retreat Gathering for

Board Members and

Committee Chairpersons

We will be having our annual retreat for all board members and committee chairs on Saturday, September 9^th.  The location will be announced later.  Retreat activities will start at 8:00 a.m. and finish at 4:00 p.m.

All board members and committee chairs are encouraged to attend. 

Welcome to Church Membership

Joining on August 20^th

Karen Cahill – from Alton

Tommy Cahill – from Alton

We’re glad you’ve chosen to become members of our growing church family!

Directory Update

Lorna McElhone & Roger Thorogood

Fairview Heights, IL 62208

Sierra Club

You are invited to attend the monthly Sierra Club meeting held at the Alton Unitarian Church (Kate Wuerker Room) on Monday, September 11^th at 7:30 p.m.  The speaker will discuss the ecological impact of fire on our national forest. Call the Sierra Office (618) 462-6802 for additional information.

Wayne Politsch

Sierra Club Chair

Anna D. Sparks Women’s Alliance

The first Anna Ds meeting for the new church year will be September 7^th at 11:30 a.m.  This will be a “brown bag” lunch held at church.  All women of the church are welcome and invited.  All planning to attend should call or email Ruth Shaw at rshaw75@aol.com by September 3^rd to make a reservation.

Sunday Pot Luck Lunch

September 24^th – the 4^th Sunday

Bring a dish to share and plan to stay after church to join in food and fellowship.

A-Mc will do Clean Up

M-Z will do Table Set Up

Everyone will be responsible for setting food out on the buffet table.

 International Lunch Group

The date and place for September’s lunch has not yet been decided.  If you have any suggestions contact Cathy Tade at cathytade@msn.com.  Once decided, the information will be sent out via email and included in the Sunday bulletins.

RE NEWS

Dear Parents and Friends,

            I hope that this letter finds you rested from your summer travels and ready to get back into church and other fall activities. Our new church year officially start on September 10^th with our intergenerational ingathering worship service. However, on September 3^rd I will be leading an hour-long welcome-back children's chapel to help everyone get ready for fall classes which will begin on September 17^th.

            This year our children's program will have 4 classes with the youth class meeting at 9:30 a.m. instead of the usual 10:30 a.m. RE time. The classes will be arranged as follows:

            Pre-school and Kindergarten in the Green Room at 10:30 a.m.

            Grades 1-3 in the Yellow Room at 10:30 a.m.

            Grades 4-6 in the  Purple Room at 10:30 a.m.

            Jr./Sr. High youth in the Orange Room at 9:30 a.m.

Please see the new RE brochure for full details as to what the individual classes will be working on. It is important to note that this year for the first time since I have been here, we are using all of the rooms downstairs as classrooms, and they will be used every week.  Items that are brought in as donations to the church cannot be placed in these rooms as it will interfere with the learning environment. 

            Our church will have a booth at Heritage Days at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey on September 23^rd and 24^th. The topic of the booth will be composting (related to our UU 7th Principle) and flour milling (this church and the Alton flour mills have historical ties). Anyone, adults or children, wishing to help out and promote our church should contact Mark and Stacey Wolff. Period costuming is required, but can be rented.

            I still have some volunteer spots open for the coming year, and I am always looking for RE committee members and people to help out with special activities.  Please see me if you are interested in helping out.

Thank you,

Jamie Gross, DRE

In Our Church Family

Our sympathy goes to Kate Gibbs, one of our newest members, on the death of her grandfather, James Gibbs, in late July.

Corinne Hawkins is recuperating at home and thanks everyone for their cards, calls, visits, and assistance. 

Crisis Food Center Report

The Crisis Food Center served an average of 602 families totaling 1792 people each month during the summer. Our church's summer contributions were reduced with only 30 items and $50. The need continues so please consider bringing extra canned goods and / or cash donations to the church this month for distribution. The following items are always appreciated: canned fruits, vegetables, meats, soups and flour, sugar, cake mixes, icing, juice boxes or cereals.

When you do your weekly grocery shopping, consider picking up and item or two for the crisis food pantry and bring it to church that week.

Please check the expiration dates and donate only fresh items. All contributions supporting this effort are appreciated.

Jen Politsch

Macy’s Shop for a Cause

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Macy’s (Famous-Barr) is providing an opportunity to raise money for our church as part of a special celebration to honor

local charities and non-profit organizations.

Here’s how it works –

W are selling $5 shopping pass tickets to be used on the Shop for a Cause day.  The tickets are provided at no cost to us.  Our church will retain all proceeds and will receive a share of the money raised that day. 

The tickets can be used at any Macy’s on Saturday, September 16 only during regular business hours. 

Everyone who buys a ticket receives –

q       a coupon worth $10 off any purchase

q       20 % off fashion and accessory items (including clearance and sales)

q       10 % off furniture and home store items

q       a chance to register to win a $500 Macy’s shopping spree

This is a chance to help out our church, save a little money and have fun at the same time, so spread the word to your neighbors and friends, too!

You may order tickets by contacting Mary Weber at omamary2@aol.  They may be picked up in the Wuerker Room after church.  If you would like to write a check, it should be made out to the First Unitarian Church of Alton.

Thank you for your support!

Highway Clean-Up Day

Saturday morning, September 23^rd

(Rain date September 30^th)

It’s time again to do our quarterly clean up of our 4-mile stretch of Highway 67.  The more people who help, the less time it will take and the more enjoyable the project.  This is a Community Service project and the church’s name is on the sign approaching our stretch of the road, giving us added incentive to keep the area trash-free.  Mark Tade is the Clean-Up Coordinator and will have a sign-up sheet at church for volunteers. 

Join the CHOIR!

We are the music-makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.

Choir rehearsal schedule for September

Thursday – Sept. 7^th – 7:00 -8:30 p.m.

Sunday – Sept. 10^th – 9:45 a.m.

Thursday – Sept. 21^st – 7:00- 8:00 p.m.

Sunday – Sept. 24^th – following potluck

 If you’re interested in learning more about joining the choir, contact

Willis McCoy wbmccoy@charter.net